בָּקַר
𐤁𐤒𐤓
bâqar
H1239 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To inquire, investigate, or examine, especially by actively seeking information or understanding. In biblical contexts, בָּקַר most commonly refers to the activity of seeking out information or making a careful examination, whether of persons, matters, or objects. It can also mean to inspect or oversee, notably in administrative or ceremonial contexts. In rarer, more figurative uses, it can imply reflection or consideration.
Semantic Range
to inquire, to investigate, to examine, to search, to inspect, to seek out, to consider, to reflect, to look into (a matter), to oversee
Root / Etymology
Root is בקר, which at its root level can carry the sense of 'to split, open up, break through' (as in the related noun for 'morning' when the day 'breaks'). The verb בָּקַר in the piel stem acquired the sense of 'to search by opening up/examining', hence 'to inquire, seek, investigate'. The qal stem’s primitive meaning is not attested in the biblical text; meaning has shifted from a literal sense of splitting/penetrating to the abstract sense of inquiry and examination.
Historical & Contextual Notes
בָּקַר is attested primarily in the piel stem, where it unequivocally refers to careful inquiry or examination, such as when Saul inquires about David's presence (1 Samuel 20:12), or when searching or investigating moral or legal matters. Its usage reflects a formal, sometimes official type of searching, in contrast to שָׁאַל (sha'al), which typically means 'to ask (a question)' but emphasizes requesting information, not necessarily a thorough investigation. בָּקַר is used for both human action (inquiring about someone, seeking out truth) and for divine investigation (e.g., God 'searching' hearts, though usually with a different Hebrew verb). English translations vary, sometimes rendering it as 'search', 'inquire', 'seek out', or 'examine', but the nuance can be fuller, especially in legal or ceremonial settings. Not to be confused with the similar-sounding noun בָּקָר (baqar, 'cattle'). The base meaning does not directly relate to agricultural activities or literal ploughing as suggested by Strong's but focuses on examination or investigation. In post-exilic or later literature, related forms can acquire more generalized senses of 'consider' or 'reflect'.
Translation Consistency
“Examine” naturally covers the typical semantic range of בָּקַר — to inspect, investigate, inquire into, or consider — without tilting toward a narrowly modern or technical sense. It fits both physical inspection/oversight and asking/investigating a matter, and will produce natural English across the various forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; properly, to plough, or (generally) break forth, i.e. (figuratively) to inspect, admire, care for, consider; (make) inquire (-ry), (make) search, seek out.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
בקר (Baqebaqar) — to seek, to examine, to inquire, to inspect, to search
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1230 | בַּקְבַּקַּר | Search-Seeker |
| H1240 | בְּקַר | to thoroughly investigate |
| H1241 | בָּקָר | in the cattle |
| H1242 | בֹּקֶר | in the morning |
| H1243 | בַּקָּרָה | as inspection-of |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1239-02 |
לְ/בַקֵּֽר | levaqer | HR/Vpc |
to inquire | to thoroughly examine | to thoroughly examine | 2 |
H1239-05 |
יְבַקֵּ֧ר | yevaqer | HVpi3ms |
he shall inquire | he will carefully examine | he will carefully examine | 2 |
H1239-01 |
אֲבַקֵּ֣ר | avaqer | HVpi1cs |
I will seek | I will examine closely | I will examine closely | 1 |
H1239-03 |
וּ/לְ/בַקֵּ֥ר | ulevaqer | HC/R/Vpc |
and to inquire | and to search out | and to inquire | 1 |
H1239-04 |
וּ/בִקַּרְתִּֽי/ם | uviqaretim | HC/Vpq1cs/Sp3mp |
and seek them out | and I searched them out | and I will search them out | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1239-05 |
Leviticus 13:36 | יְבַקֵּ֧ר | yevaqer | HVpi3ms |
shall seek | he will carefully examine | he will carefully examine |
H1239-05 |
Leviticus 27:33 | יְבַקֵּ֛ר | yevaqer | HVpi3ms |
he shall inquire | he will carefully examine | it will carefully examine |
H1239-02 |
2 Kings 16:15 | לְ/בַקֵּֽר | levaqer | HR/Vpc |
to inquire | to thoroughly examine | to thoroughly examine |
H1239-04 |
Ezekiel 34:11 | וּ/בִקַּרְתִּֽי/ם | uviqaretim | HC/Vpq1cs/Sp3mp |
and seek them out | and I searched them out | and I will search them out |
H1239-01 |
Ezekiel 34:12 | אֲבַקֵּ֣ר | avaqer | HVpi1cs |
I will seek | I will examine closely | I will examine closely |
H1239-03 |
Psalms 27:4 | וּ/לְ/בַקֵּ֥ר | ulevaqer | HC/R/Vpc |
and to inquire | and to search out | and to inquire |
H1239-02 |
Proverbs 20:25 | לְ/בַקֵּֽר | levaqer | HR/Vpc |
to make inquiry | to thoroughly examine | to thoroughly examine |